Al Salmi Library: The oldest library in Oman
Times News Service
Saturday, August 08, 2009 10:39:43 PM Oman Time
MUSCAT — As Oman waits with baited breath to view the first of its kind exhibition where 100 original Rembrandt prints will be shown at the Afrah Ballroom of Grand Hyatt from August 19, connoisseurs of art should be grateful to the Sultanate’s oldest library — Al Salmi Library — for initiating this remarkable project.
Al Salmi Library is presenting the Rembrandt in Oman exhibition, which will end on September 19.
Though Al Salmi Library has been around for more than 100 years, not many are aware of its existence or the richness of its past.
Narrating the story of how the library came into being, Abdullah Salem Al Salmi says: “The library was started by my grandfather Noor Aldeen Al Salmi. He was born in 1867. We presume that the library started taking shape sometime in 1887.”
The library initially was part of the school that Noor Aldeen Al Salmi founded.
A teacher of language, history, religion and various other subjects, Noor Aldeen Al Salmi’s love for books and manuscripts was legendary.
Read the rest of the article at Times of Oman
Saturday, August 08, 2009 10:39:43 PM Oman Time
MUSCAT — As Oman waits with baited breath to view the first of its kind exhibition where 100 original Rembrandt prints will be shown at the Afrah Ballroom of Grand Hyatt from August 19, connoisseurs of art should be grateful to the Sultanate’s oldest library — Al Salmi Library — for initiating this remarkable project.
Al Salmi Library is presenting the Rembrandt in Oman exhibition, which will end on September 19.
Though Al Salmi Library has been around for more than 100 years, not many are aware of its existence or the richness of its past.
Narrating the story of how the library came into being, Abdullah Salem Al Salmi says: “The library was started by my grandfather Noor Aldeen Al Salmi. He was born in 1867. We presume that the library started taking shape sometime in 1887.”
The library initially was part of the school that Noor Aldeen Al Salmi founded.
A teacher of language, history, religion and various other subjects, Noor Aldeen Al Salmi’s love for books and manuscripts was legendary.
Read the rest of the article at Times of Oman
‘I treat drug addicts like patients and not murderers’
Rahima Al Balushi
Saturday, August 08, 2009 10:40:52 PM Oman Time
A decade ago, Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Zedjali decided to change drug addicts’ lives both within and outside the Sultanate through awareness and voluntary campaigns. This extraordinary Omani citizen is currently conducting lectures in private sector organisations, and taking his crusade to schools, colleges and universities. His latest successful campaign, undertaken in cooperation with Oman Mobile, was titled, ‘We Are Healthy Without Drugs’. In the campaign, he came up with a million copies of Hayyak cards with quotes and pictures of famous Omanis. Mohammed Al Zedjali shares his experiences with Times of Oman.
Read the rest of the article at Times of Oman
Saturday, August 08, 2009 10:40:52 PM Oman Time
A decade ago, Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Zedjali decided to change drug addicts’ lives both within and outside the Sultanate through awareness and voluntary campaigns. This extraordinary Omani citizen is currently conducting lectures in private sector organisations, and taking his crusade to schools, colleges and universities. His latest successful campaign, undertaken in cooperation with Oman Mobile, was titled, ‘We Are Healthy Without Drugs’. In the campaign, he came up with a million copies of Hayyak cards with quotes and pictures of famous Omanis. Mohammed Al Zedjali shares his experiences with Times of Oman.
Read the rest of the article at Times of Oman
Local crafts keep tradition alive
SALALAH — In the picturesque Dhofar governorate and its wilayats, tradition thrives in nooks and crannies. And the residents are doing their bit to make sure that ancient practices are kept alive — be it in their way of life or through their occupation.
On a visit to frankincense land, Times of Oman zeroed in on the municipality recreational centre, to meet some women who engaged in two of these traditional occupations —
saviac and pottery making.
While saviac and pottery have, in the past, been used as household objects, today, their appeal is more aesthetic — they are mostly used for decorating homes.
Al safiat, made from palm leaves (Al kous), catches the eye for sheer variety of form and colour. Once a part of daily life, being used for eating, drinking and a host of other things, Al safiat is a part of Oman’s heritage. No wonder, women well-versed in the craft are now teaching their daughters the art of making Al safiat.
Woven out of palm frond, Al safiat is used for making Al hassier (carpet), Al selal (basket), Al tefal or Al kifaiah (mat), Al kafaf, Al jeriat and several other things. Leather is used in some of the items.
Read the rest of this article in the Times of Oman, 8th August 2009
On a visit to frankincense land, Times of Oman zeroed in on the municipality recreational centre, to meet some women who engaged in two of these traditional occupations —
saviac and pottery making.
While saviac and pottery have, in the past, been used as household objects, today, their appeal is more aesthetic — they are mostly used for decorating homes.
Al safiat, made from palm leaves (Al kous), catches the eye for sheer variety of form and colour. Once a part of daily life, being used for eating, drinking and a host of other things, Al safiat is a part of Oman’s heritage. No wonder, women well-versed in the craft are now teaching their daughters the art of making Al safiat.
Woven out of palm frond, Al safiat is used for making Al hassier (carpet), Al selal (basket), Al tefal or Al kifaiah (mat), Al kafaf, Al jeriat and several other things. Leather is used in some of the items.
Read the rest of this article in the Times of Oman, 8th August 2009